Machine for coating fabric with india-rubber upon one or both sides



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J.'H. PEARCE. MACHINE FOR GOATING FABRIC WITH INDIA RUBBER UPON ONE OR BOTH SIDES. No. 376,343. Patented Jan. 10, 1888.

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J. H. PEARCE. MACHINE FOR COATING FABRIC WITH- INDIA RUBBER UPON ONE OR.

BOTH SIDES. No. 376,343. Patented Jan. 10, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Christi.

JOHN H. PEARCE, OF NEIV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT. I

MACHINE FOR COATING FABRIC WITH INDIA-RUBBER UPON ONi-I 0R BOTH SIDES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376,343, dated January 10, 1888.

Application filed July 8, 1867. Serial No. 24 ,717. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. PEARCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Apparatus for Coating Fabric with Rubber; and I.hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of one end of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the reverse end. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line :0 m, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 3/ y, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram similar to Fig. 3, showing a modificationin the arrangement of the rolls.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My present invention relates to the co nstruction of apparatus for applying two coats of rubber, one upon each side or upon opposite sides of the fabric substantially simultaneously,

either or both of which continuous coats may be friction or calender coats, as preferred; and

it has for its object to obtain uniform finish, greater elasticity in the rubber fabric than has heretofore been obtainable, and to save space, machinery, time, and labor.

To this end the main feature of the invention'consists in the combination of two sets of rolls comprising a fabric-roll, a presser-roll, and a feed-roll, said sets arranged in juxtaposition, and with the fabric and presser rolls of each set on reverse sides of the fabric and one or both of the resser-rolls geared or otherwise arranged to have a greater surface speed than the remaining rolls of the series, substantially as will hereinafter more fully apear. p There are other minor features of invention relating principally to adjuncts of the main combination. I Will now proceed to describe more specifically the form of the apparatus shown in the drawings and chosen for purposes of illustra tion, so as to enable others skilled in the art to apply my invention. i

In the drawings, A indicates the bed of the machine, and B suitable uprights or a housing for the support of the operative devices. Said devices consist of two sets of rolls, 0 D, and

their adjuncts, all of which are preferably journaled in or supported on the mainframe. Each set of rolls comprises a fabric-roll, 1, the function of which is to support the fabric, a presser-rol], 2, the main function of which is to apply the rubber to the fabric and whose secondary function is to coact with the feedroll to form the sheet of rubber or other plastic material and convey it to the fabric to which it is to be applied, and a feed-roll, 3, the function of which is to feed the rubber or plastic mass forward and in conjunction with the presser or equivalent roll from the mass into a sheet of uniform thickness. Said rolls are essentials to the operative combination; but it is evident that their duties may be divided up by multiplying and interposing rolls without departing from the invention. Of these rolls the'fabric-rolls land the feed-rolls 3 should have adjustable boxes or bearings, so that the feed and the thickness of the sheet, and also the pressure by which it is applied to the fabric, may be increased or decreased at will, or according to the nature of the fabric or the character or quality of the article to be produced. The nature of the plastic composition or rubber compound will also be a factor in determining the adjustment of the said rolls 2 and 3. In arranging said rolls in the machine the two fabric-rolls 1 1 will be so placed as to support opposite sides of the fabric to be coated, and the two presser-rolls 2 2 will be arranged each with its axis in the same plane as that of the fabric-roll of its set and to operate on the opposite side of the fabric, while the feed-rolls 3 may occupy any position most advantageous for feeding the plastic material or rubber to the machine, provided'said position does not interfere with the delivery of the formed plastic sheet by or to the presser-roll and fabric.

One or both of the presserrolls 2 are constructed to apply what is termed the frictioncoatingb that is, are of such diameter as to have a greater surface speed, or are provided with gearing to give greater surface speed, as shown in the drawings.

The preferred form of arrangement of the several rolls of the sets with relation to each other is that shown in Fig. 3-that is to say, for set C, or the lower set, the fabric-r0111 below and the presser-roll 2 above their axes in the same vertical plane, and the feed-roll 3 with its axis in the same horizontal plane with that of roll 2, while in set D, or the upper set, the axes of fabric-roll l and the presscr-roll 2 are in the same horizontal plane, while the axis of the feed-roll 3 of said set is in the same vertical plane as the presscr-roll. Fig. 3 also shows the preferred relative arrangement of the two sets of rollsviz., four of'the rolls in the same vertical plane and one of the remaining rolls on each side of said vertical plane.

The arrangement of the rolls reduces the number required to the minimum, enables them to be set closely together, so that the coat s are applied in quick succession, and produces a well-balanced compact machine, wherein the rubber or plastic material has a lateral and downward feed, which causes it to be fed uniformly and regularly to the fabric, while the fabric can be readily inserted between the rolls 1 and 2 without raising the rolls, and with little or no loss from scrap or uncoated fabric atthe ends of the roll of fabric.

4 indicates the spindle or shaft for supporting the roll or fabric to be fed to the machine. Said spindle is rendered detachable by means of a chuck or clamp, 5, so that it can be removed to insert a roll of fabric, and is provided with a handbrake, 6, or equivalent means, to control the feed and tension of the fabric.

7, S, 9, and 10 indicate small guide-rollers for controlling the position of the fabric with relation to the rolls, the first of the series, '7 and S, beingpreferabl y arranged below the axis of the first fabric-roll, l, as by such arrangement the fabric is not only caused to hug the roll 1, but can be readilyinserted without disturbing said roll. In the modification, Fig. 5, the different arrangement of theguide-rollers 7 and the fabricroll 1, necessitates adjustable bearings for roll 1, in order that said roll 1 may be raised for insertion of the fabric.

Guide-roller 9 of the series is made adj ustable, as shown, or in equivalentmanner to take up any slack which may occur in the fabric between the two sets 0 and D, and thus preserve uniform tension throughout the length of the fabric being operated on. A second spindle such as stmay be employed to receive and roll up the coated fabric.

11 11 indieateguides, which are used in conjunction with the feed-rolls to limit and control the width of the sheet of rubber or plastic material as well as its position, so that it shall be properly delivered to the fabric to be coated. These guides 11 are located in the plane passing between the feed-rolls 3 and the presscrrolls and project into the grooves between the rolls, being preferably of curved or triangularformforsaid-purpose. Theyaresupported by and are adjustable on short rods 12, projecting from the frame B, or other suitable support, and may be secured in any desired position by means of set-screws.

The power is preferably applied to one of the fixed rolls, which fixed rolls are usually the presscr-rolls 2, and the several rolls of the series are driven therefrom by pinion or equivalent gearing, the charaeter of which, for the purposes hereinbeforc specified, will be within the knowledge of any skilled mechanic.

F indicates the fabric to be coated, a roll of which is placed on spindle 4, its leading end passed under (or over, Fig. 3) guide-roller 7, over (or under Fig. 3) fabric roll 1 of set C, thence under guide-roller S to and over adjustable tension, and guide-roller 9 around upper fabric-roll, 1, of set D, under guideroller 10, thence out of the machine, or to the receiving-spindle, as the case may be.

The rubber compound in its raw state as it comes from the masticator, or other plastic material, in ball or mass, is placed in the bight of rolls 8 and 2 between the guides 11, is formed thereby into a plastic adhesive sheet of the desired thickness, and, following the surface of presscr roll 2, is transferred to and combined with the fabric F as the latter passes between the fabric-roll 1 and the presser-roll 2, the first set, 0, giving a coat to one sidenamcly, that side which is next roll 2 of said set-and the second set, D, immediately applying another coating to the opposite side of the fabric, or that side which is in contact with its presscr-roll 2, the tension of the fabric F being the same in both'instances, so that practically the coats may be said to be simultaneously applied, and either or both coats may be applied, either as frictional or calender coats, by following the directions hereinbefore given.

The advantages of a 'iparatus embodying my invention, as hereinbefore pointed out, are red uction in amount ofmachincry required, saving in time, labor, and number of workmen required, uniformity of the two surfaces of the rubber fabric, and uniform and greater clasticity of rubber fabric.

Having thus described the nature and operation of my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A machine for coating the opposite sides of a fabric at one and the same time, comprising two sets of rolls, each set comprising afab ric-roll, a presscr-roll, and a feed-roll, said sets being in juxtaposition, the fabric-rolls relatively arranged so as to support the fabric on opposite sides, and one of the presscr-rolls arranged to have a greater surface speed than its fabric-roll, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. A machine for coating a fabric on opposite sides at one and the same operation, comprising two sets of rolls, each set comprisinga fabric-roll, a presscr-roll, and a feed-roll, the fabric and presscr rolls of the first set having their axes in a vertical plane and those of the second set having their axes in a horizontal plane, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. A machine for coating a fabric on opposite sides at one and the same operation, comprising two sets of rolls, each set comprising three rolls-namely, a fabric-roll, a presserroll, and a feed-roll-the fabric and presser roll of the first set and the presser and feed roll of the second set being all substantially in vertical alignment, and the axes of the fabric and presser rolls of each set being in the same plane and at right angles to the same rolls of the other set, substantially asand for the purposes specified.

4. A machine for coating the opposite sides of a fabric with rubber, comprising a housing, two sets of rolls, each set composed of a fabricroll, a presser roll, and a feed-roll arranged in a triangular group, said sets arranged in j uxta- 15 position, the fabric-rolls relatively arranged to support the fabric on opposite sides, one of the presser-rolls arranged to have a greater surface speed'than its fabric-roll, and an adjustable tension and guide roller interposed '20 between the two sets of rolls, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. PEARCE. Witnesses:

EDWIN S. TERRY, ROBERT LUTZ. 

